Amazon has a pile of PlayStation 4s just sitting there in a warehouse in Milton Keynes -- but you can't play them until next Friday.

The complexities of a global launch -- localising all the software, including the games made by third parties, and shipping all those boxes -- mean Sony wasn't able to release its new console in every country around the world. But it seems kind of mean to have all those pristine games machines hanging around in its Marston Gate Fulfilment Centre, and making us wait nearly two weeks to play on them.

Spare a thought though for PlayStation fans in Japan -- Sony's native land -- who have to wait until the end of February. Western Europe, much of Latin America and Australasia join the UK next week, with the Middle East pressing play in December and Eastern Europe without a specific date, but due some time next year.

The Xbox One, also shipped out by Amazon from Milton Keynes, is out this Friday in the UK and selected other countries, but the online megastore says demand is nowhere near as high for Microsoft's console.

While the PS4 sits mightily astride Amazon's video games preorder, most wished-for and most gifted items charts, the Xbox One languishes at numbers five, three and seven on those lists. That's surely largely to do with the Xbox being £80 more expensive, as well as its well-documented shambles of a launch evaporating the goodwill generated by the 360.

Sony's not had it all its own way, however, with widespread reports of consoles failing with a 'Blue Light of Death'. The Japanese company is adamant these are "isolated incidents and represent a very small percentage of total units" but is keeping a close eye on the situation. It sold over 1 million boxes in North America on launch day, including preorders.

If you're sick and tired of waiting for your new console, take a look back in time to a classic console of yesteryear with m'learned colleague Luke, who tells the story of the Game Boy in his new show, Adventures in Tech.

Are you tearing your hair out in frustration while your longed-for next-gen console sits unused in a dusty warehouse? Share your pangs in the comments, or on our always-open Facebook page.